We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-27 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want plug-and-play wired earbuds that pull clean digital audio straight from a USB-C port on a phone, tablet or laptop, choose RS Traders Samsung AKG USB-C; if you need kid-safe, volume-limited on-ear headphones with a bundled USB-C adapter for a child or teen, choose JLab.
• RS Traders Samsung AKG USB-C — biggest strength: true USB-C plug-and-play with a built-in DAC, so it works with Galaxy phones, iPads, MacBooks and other Type-C devices with no adapter and no battery.
• RS Traders Samsung AKG USB-C — biggest trade-off: it is a wired in-ear with no active noise cancellation, so isolation is only passive and you are tethered to your device.
• JLab — biggest strength: on-ear comfort with an 85 dB built-in volume limiter and a foldable frame, plus a 3.5 mm to USB-C dongle included in the bundle.
• JLab — biggest trade-off: it is designed for kids and teens, so it is not the pick for an adult who wants compact, high-fidelity in-ear sound.
• Buy the RS Traders pair if you are an adult who wants one cable, no dongles, and USB-C audio on a modern phone or laptop.
• Buy the JLab pair if you are buying for a child or teen and want safe volume plus a headphone that folds flat into a bag.
This is the straightforward answer for anyone whose phone no longer has a headphone jack. The connector is Type-C, the connection is wired, and the plug is the whole setup — no pairing, no charging, no adapter to lose. The built-in DAC is the part that matters most here: it means the earbuds handle the digital-to-analog conversion themselves instead of relying on a dongle, which is exactly why they work across such a wide spread of hardware. Galaxy S23, S22, S21, S20 and Note 10+ owners are the obvious fit, but the description also points to iPads, MacBooks, Xiaomi, Huawei and any other device with a USB-C audio port.
The sound side is a dynamic driver covering 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz — the full audible range, nothing exotic. In practice that is a well-rounded tuning for music, podcasts and calls rather than a bass-heavy or studio-flat signature. Controls are inline and remote-based with volume control, so you are not reaching for your phone every time you want to nudge the level. The fit is in-ear with a rounded tip and an ergonomic shape, and the description frames the seal as noise-reducing comfort — that is passive isolation from the tip, not active cancellation. The braided cable should resist the tangling and fraying that kills cheap rubber cords, and the velvet carrying case gives you somewhere to put them that is not the bottom of a bag. Weight is listed at just 5 g.
JLab: Who It's For
The JLab JBuddies Studio is a different product category wearing a similar keyword. It is a wired on-ear headphone built for ages six and up, with the bundle adding a 3.5 mm to USB-C dongle so it can plug into a modern phone, tablet or laptop that dropped the headphone jack. That dongle is the bridge to USB-C audio — the headphones themselves terminate in 3.5 mm. If you want to know how to use USB-C headphones on an Android phone or a Mac, this is the pattern: plug the dongle into the USB-C port, plug the 3.5 mm jack into the dongle, and the device routes audio out.
The headline feature is the built-in volume limiter at 85 dB. That is a real, concrete safety spec rather than marketing language, and it is the single best reason to choose this pair for a kid. Comfort gets equal attention: over-ear cloud foam cushions wrapped in faux leather, a padded headband, and smooth-sliding metal adjustments that let the headphone grow with a child instead of being replaced every year. The frame folds, which matters more than parents expect — it turns a bulky headphone into something that disappears into a school bag. Controls are button-based, and the design uses sound isolation rather than any electronic noise cancelling.
The trade-offs are worth stating plainly. It is on-ear, not in-ear, so it is bulkier and more visible than earbuds. It is tuned and marketed for kids and teens rather than for adult critical listening. And because the USB-C path runs through a dongle, there is one extra small part in the chain that can be misplaced — a real consideration for a child. The lifetime warranty is the counterweight, and it is a genuinely strong point in this comparison.
Who should buy it: parents and teens who want safe volume, all-day comfort, a foldable frame and long warranty coverage. Who should skip it: adults who want compact in-ear buds with a direct USB-C plug and no adapter.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for child and teen safety → JLab. The 85 dB built-in limiter is the deciding spec.
• Best for all-day comfort on long study or homework sessions → JLab. Over-ear foam cushions and a padded headband beat in-ear tips for multi-hour wear.
• Best for portability → RS Traders Samsung AKG USB-C. In-ear buds at roughly 5 g with a velvet case take up almost no room.
• Best for warranty peace of mind → JLab. Lifetime warranty versus a 30-day warranty on the AKG pair.
• Best for adult music, calls and inline volume → RS Traders Samsung AKG USB-C. Dynamic driver across 20 Hz–20,000 Hz plus remote volume control.
• Best for kids who break things → JLab. Metal sliders, foldable frame and lifetime coverage are built for that reality.
• Best for a Galaxy S-series owner → RS Traders Samsung AKG USB-C. Named compatibility with S20 through S24 Ultra and Note 10+.
• Best if you still use 3.5 mm gear → JLab. The 3.5 mm jack works directly on older devices, with USB-C available through the included dongle.
For most readers searching this comparison, I would buy the RS Traders Samsung AKG USB-C. In my opinion the direct USB-C plug and built-in DAC are the whole point of the category — no dongle to lose, no battery to charge, no pairing, and a fit that disappears in your pocket. The dynamic driver covers the full audible range and the inline volume control is genuinely useful day to day. I would only steer you to the JLab JBuddies Studio if the listener is a child or young teen, because the 85 dB limiter, the over-ear comfort and the lifetime warranty are worth more than compactness in that situation. Two different jobs, two different answers.
how to use usb c headphones on android phone
Plug the USB-C connector straight into the phone's charging port. On the RS Traders pair there is no app, pairing or charging step — the built-in DAC handles the audio conversion, so sound routes out as soon as it is seated. For JLab, plug the included 3.5 mm to USB-C dongle into the phone and the headphone jack into the dongle.
how to use usb c headphones on mac
Use the USB-C port directly. The RS Traders earbuds are listed as compatible with MacBook and other USB-C devices, and because the DAC is built into the cable you do not need a separate adapter. If you are using the JLab bundle on a Mac, connect the dongle to the USB-C port and the 3.5 mm plug to the dongle, then select the output in your sound settings.
how to use usb c headphones on android
Same as any wired USB-C audio device: seat the connector firmly in the port and play. Volume can be adjusted from the inline remote on the RS Traders model, which has its own volume control, or from the phone. JLab routes through the bundled USB-C dongle instead, with button-based controls on the headphone itself.
how to use usb c headphones on ps5
The PS5 has a USB-C port, but neither product is described as a console headset, and neither lists microphone or chat support for PlayStation. The RS Traders pair does include a mic and remote aimed at phones and computers, and the JLab pair is built for kids' listening on phones, tablets and laptops. For PS5 voice chat specifically, I would not treat either as a guaranteed solution.
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